Celebrating Wendall Kaldenberg

Mel Guanci • February 24, 2022

2021 Community Footprint Award Recipient

As a long-standing Norwalk citizen and business owner, Wendell “Wendy” Kaldenberg has managed to leave an admirable and truly positive community footprint, and he’s not done yet!

Arriving in town as a teen, and graduating with the class of 1959, Wendy Kaldenberg decided to make Norwalk his home and has been in his current residence for 57 years!

As a young man he joined the Norwalk Volunteer Fire Department and was committed to our community’s public safety for 43 years. When the new fire station opened in 2007, Kaldenberg was awarded Firefighter of the Year. And even though he officially retired in 2018, he continues to volunteer in a supportive role for Norwalk Fire and Rescue.

The mid-80s saw the purchase of Jimmy’s Restaurant on Main Street and in 1994, Wendy’s Ice Cream was added. Selling ice cream must have captured Wendy’s heart and in 1997 he sold Jimmy’s (twice!) and in 2000 moved Wendy’s Ice Cream to its current location on Sunset Drive.

Wendy has had the honor of working with some amazing staff and it’s apparent that his own fair and friendly personality made quite the impression. When he had to re-open Jimmy’s in 1997, his previous staff showed up on opening night asking what they could do to help. Since then he’s had two full generations working for him. Some of his original employees now have children swirling those delicious ice cream cones we all love.

Wendell Kaldenberg has always been one to step up. He’s been a Norwalk Mason, Shriner for 20 years and is a founding member of the Norwalk Area Chamber, started in 1992. His commitment to the Norwalk community through his decades of public service and as an employer doesn’t end there. His business continues to make donations to local charities including the Norwalk Public Easter Library, Knights of Columbus, The Lions Club, American Legion, various school activities as well as local events.

It is with complete pride, admiration and appreciation that the Norwalk Area Chamber of Commerce honors Wendell “Wendy” Kaldenberg with the 2022 Community Footprint Award.

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